Do I need a visa for Seychelles in 2026? +
No visa, but a mandatory Travel Authorization (TA) since April 2024. Apply online at seychelles.govtas.com at least 72h before flight, $10 per person (free for children under 12). Requirements: passport valid 6 months after return date, return ticket, accommodation proof, proof of sufficient funds. The TA covers stays up to 30 days, extendable on arrival.
How many days do I need for Seychelles? +
Minimum 7 days for the Mahé + Praslin combo, but 10 days is the ideal format to add La Digue (our recommended itinerary). 14 days lets you add an inter-island catamaran cruise (4-7 nights) or a night on a private island (North, Silhouette, Denis). Beyond 14 days the risk of repetition rises: Seychelles are concentrated on beaches and nature, not on cultural variety.
When to go to Seychelles? +
April-May and October-November are the two best windows (between trade winds, calm seas everywhere, near-guaranteed sun). December to March: north-west trade winds, short but heavy rains, western beaches calmer. June to September: strong south-east trade winds, choppy sea east of Mahé, steady wind, western beaches preserved. Climate works year-round thanks to equatorial latitude (4° South).
How to get between islands in Seychelles? +
Three options. (1) Cat Cocos fast catamaran between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue (1h-1h30, €80 return/pers, several rotations daily). (2) Air Seychelles domestic flight Mahé-Praslin (15 min, €120-160 return/pers). (3) Zil Air helicopter for private resorts (€300-600/trip, transfers included with 5★ resorts). For La Digue: Cat Cocos from Praslin (15 min, €16). Book ferries 24-48h ahead in peak season.
Can I rent a car in Seychelles? +
Yes, but only on Mahé (main island) and marginally on Praslin. Rental €50-80/day, left-hand traffic, narrow winding roads. On La Digue: no cars allowed for tourists, transport by bike (€10/day) or the historic ox cart. French license is enough. Book ahead in peak season (July-August, December).
Can you do Seychelles as a backpacker? +
Possible but expensive. No backpacker hostels, the minimum is a family guesthouse (private Creole inn) at €80-120/night. Plan €2,500 minimum excluding flights for 10 days, vs €1,800 in Sri Lanka for equivalent comfort. For backpacking the Indian Ocean, Réunion or Sri Lanka offer far better value. Seychelles remains a couple / family destination.
Seychelles or Maldives, how to choose? +
Seychelles: mountainous granitic archipelago, beaches with boulders, endemic land wildlife (tortoises, birds), hiking possible, African Creole vibe, autonomy possible with car and ferries. Maldives: flat coral atolls, world-class diving, overwater bungalows, systematic all-inclusive resorts, seaplane transfers. For nature and autonomy: Seychelles. For diving and resort lounging: Maldives. For honeymoon: both work (Maldives more accessible at mid-budget, Seychelles more premium and varied).
What language is spoken in Seychelles? +
Three official languages: Seychellois Creole (mother tongue, French-derived), English (administration, business) and French (widely spoken, especially in upscale hospitality). Seychellois are mostly trilingual. French is enough to travel, and English is useful in international hotels and restaurants.
